Impediments and Desirability of Complete Ban on International Movement of Toxic Waste

Abstract

Abstract This essay identifies the obstacles to a complete ban on international movement of hazardous waste and critiques its desirability. The essay argues that the obstacles are difficulties in formulating and implementing multilateral waste management treaties (WMTs), socioeconomic factors and trade liberalisation. Also, it argues that the desirability of a complete ban is a function of national priority and socio-economic differentials that underpin the waste trade. Furthermore, since the Basel Convention as amended is not a ‘Holy Grail’, the responsibility of a complete ban will lie on the shoulders of countries that do want to ‘trade poison for cash’. Such countries will have to strengthen their environmental legislation, forge and sustain stronger joint actions to confront the problem.